By the time the next day comes, Jason and Sam are nearly as happy as they've ever been with each other. Finally, after everything that's happened and after all these months, they have the confirmation in their feelings. They have each other, wholly and solely. They are each other's and neither of them could possibly be happier. And for the first time, they are doing their absolute best to ignore the anxiety that comes with that. For each other.

They try to ignore the fear of one of them dying, or dying for each other. The fear of one of them leaving or giving up or pushing or running. For the first time, they are finding it in themselves to ignore those feelings because they are with the person they trust the absolute most. And they both know, the other person deserves for them to suck up the fear and the anxiety and make a solid effort in not freaking out. Despite everything they've ever known and been taught, they're choosing each other and choosing to trust each other to always be by their side. And they are so happy. It's practically euphoric.

"Good luck, Jay." Sam offers Jason a sweet and gentle smile as they stand outside of Bruce's car in front of a large house.

He is not thrilled about this. He's done it before, several times. It's exhausting seeing a new shrink, again, and having to tell the same damn stories over and over again. He gets the dream diagnoses and that's the end of it. It never really helps. He's left with another person knowing more about him than he would ever really like. It's exhausting but it's this or he's not Robin anymore. Jason doesn't give up that easily.

"Yeah." Jason scoffs, looking to his shoes and back to her. "Thanks."

"You'll be fine and it'll help." Her smile grows as she picks his hand up in hers.

"We'll see." Jason chuckles softly. "Be here when I'm done?" Jason asks with the raise of his brows, hopeful.

In all honesty, she's masking this a bit more tolerable. She promised she'd always come with to drop him off and pick him up. Bruce doesn't exactly trust her to drop him off. He thinks maybe they'll ditch the appointments. So, she promises to come with and if she has to spend an hour with Bruce, she'll do it for him. And he can then bitch to her all he wants about how the shrink doesn't know shit and Bruce is ridiculous for making him do it. As long as he goes, she'll be there. Before and after.

"Of course." Sam chimes, closing the distance between them and capturing his lips in a tender kiss.

"Would rather keep doing this." Jason mutters against her lips as he snakes his hands onto her waist.

"Too bad." She kisses him again. "Your mental state comes first, Jaybird."

Jason chuckles against her lips. "Yeah, alright, princess."

Sam laughs softly. "Okay, get in there before you're late." Sam pulls away and her smile is gentle. "I love you." She beams, smiling with full teeth and her eyes are brighter than Jason has ever seen before.

"Love you, too." Jason chuckles as the fluttering of his heart nearly sends him into cardiac arrest.

Sam watches Jason walk up the driveway and to the front door before he knocks. She watches and waits until a woman greets him and allows him into her home. A part of her thought maybe he'd try to bail out of it. Actually make a solid effort to anyway. Sam almost expected him to walk up the driveway and then sprint behind the house and take off, leaving her and Bruce to chase after him. But there he is, going into a therapist's house on his own and she's happy for him. Relieved.

Sam doesn't always think therapy will help but nothing else is helping him and at the end of the day, he needs help even if he wants to insist he's fine. Everyone else around him knows he's not. The limp isn't because he's still hurt. Sam knows Bruce well enough to know he would have Jason checked out by a doctor to verify he was fine. It's in his head which makes it all feel the same as if there were something physically wrong with him. He needs help. And he thinks they don't notice his hands and the terrified expression after a nightmare. He can't work through all his problems alone and he never should have had to. And she's proud of him for doing it even if he's only doing it so he can be Robin. The point is that he's going.

"What do we do now?" Sam asks Bruce as she gets back into the front seat.

Bruce almost laughs. The two of them have been beating around the damn bush since Sam showed up and they're finally doing something about it. Of course, never mentioning what that thing is to him and he finds the whole exchange a little amusing. Bruce has never told anyone, but Jason has always reminded him a little bit of himself. But, Jason is his son and Sam clearly makes him happy.

"We could grab lunch while we wait." Bruce offers.

"That's fine." Sam offers Bruce a soft smile.

Her issues remain with him. A part of her thinks Jason's problem is still Bruce. Bruce was a lot of Dick's issue. Had Bruce gotten Dick into therapy instead of giving him a mask and a cape, maybe Jericho wouldn't have died because Dick would have been able to handle his problems better. Or, at the very least, maybe Dick could have handled that entire situation better and it wouldn't have led Jason and Sam after Dr, Light. Maybe it wouldn't have led Jason to the roof that day. Dick is an adult who can handle his own problems, but he was just a kid who was never taught how and she thinks the same is said for Jason.

Jason's case is a little different. He wasn't thirteen when Bruce took him in. But, maybe Bruce still could have done better. She does, however, admire the fact he's trying now and maybe that's what matters. He's here now and trying and doing the one thing that might actually help. Forcing him to get help before he's Robin again. She will never admit that to anyone though. So, she just goes along with him for lunch and tries her best.

After lunch, Bruce and Sam head back to pick up Jason. He's not feeling great after the therapy session. He was never one that liked it very much. He was tossed around between therapists and psychiatrists while he was in the system. It was always repeating the same story over and over again, none of them offering anything that ever really helped. It was always more a state requirement and not because anyone actually gave a shit where his mental health stood. This therapist seems different than the others but like with everyone, Jason isn't sure he trusts her. He gave her the same spiel about his parents and asked about her because that seemed easier than the same old boring story. But, she at least communicated with him and that part was at least nice.

"So, how did it go?" Sam asks once they're back at the manor in her room and away from Bruce. "You don't have to tell me what you talked about or anything. Just asking how it went." Sam shrugs with ease.

"Fine, I guess." Jason shrugs his shoulders as he stands near her fireplace. "Still not fucking happy about it." A chuckle leaves his lips.

"Figured." Sam matches the chuckle, leaning back onto her hands, the bed soft under her palms. "When do you go again?"

"Next week." Jason scoffs.

"Well, I'll be there for you." Sam smiles softly at him and Jason thinks that's the only upside. At least she'll be there before and after.

"Yeah, thanks." Jason lets out a breath. "Okay, well fuck that shit." He approaches her, his eyes narrowing slightly as a smirk splits his lips. "Get ready. We've got a date to have." He leans down, resting his hands on either side of her.

He's tired of talking. He doesn't want to talk about it. He's going to do everything in his power to avoid it today. It's too heavy and he wants today to be perfect. It's their first date. Officially, as a couple.

"Oh, we're going soon?" Sam perks up as her stomach swirls. This is real. It's happening.

"Hell yeah. Got a whole fucking night planned, babe." His voice is low and the way he smiles like this, the light hits his canines just right and it looks like he has small fangs. He's so endearing.

"What are we doing?" Sam beams with excitement as she wraps her arms around his neck.

"You'll see. Go get ready." Jason urges, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

"Okay, Jay." Sam pecks his lips before Jason pulls up and lets her out of his grasp.

Sam gets up and goes to get ready. And Jason starts to feel nervous.

Technically, him and Rose never went on an official date. They mostly ran around Gotham, doing busts and then spent more of their time hiding out in someone's house. There were no official dates. And come to think of it, Jason doesn't think he's ever done this before and he's thinking maybe he went a little overboard with what he has planned. But he knows Sam better than anyone and he knows what she likes. But then he comes back to realizing maybe he doesn't know what she would like in forms of a date, it might be different than her usual thing. He's just hoping he doesn't royally fuck this up like he tends to have a habit of doing.

Sam meets Jason back in his room. Her hair is laid normally but she's curled some of it a little and she's wearing one her nicer jackets with a pair of jeans. Her makeup is done in her usual way, simple with black eyeliner and Jason thinks she always looks beautiful. He smiles softly at her. He's so in love with her and he really hopes she likes the date.

He walks up to her and takes her hand in his. He hopes she notice doesn't his hands are cold and clammy. She does but she thinks it's cute. Jason nervous is not something that happens very often but the idea of him being nervous for their date, makes Sam's head swim and her bones vibrate. He's so cute.

The two of them head off on Jason's bike, arriving at a movie theater in the city. Jason takes Sam to see a movie she's mentioned wanting to see. It's simple but it's something he knows she really likes movies. And he's not one for big fancy dates. This is simple and it's them. Sam finds the gesture adorable because she doesn't like the idea of a fancy restaurant either. This is kind of their thing. They'd go with a group sometimes, sure, but it's Sam's way of showing him how much she cares. Showing him her things and movies is one of those things. And she adores him for it.

After the movie, they head back to the manor where Jason has insisted the date isn't over yet. While he's not one for something fancy, he is one for making an effort. Words are hard, they always have been and he knows sometimes he's never going to be able to tell her exactly what she means to him. But, for their first date, he can make as big of an effort as he can to show it. Even though Sam doesn't need him to. She already knows.

"Okay, keep your eyes closed." Jason states as they stand in the main living room, his hand intertwined with hers.

"If you walk me into a door, Jason--"

"I won't!" Jason laughs. "Do you trust me?" He asks and it's a little sarcastic and cocky.

"Yes." Sam mocks, keeping her eyes closed but she wants to roll her eyes at him.

"Okay, so trust me." Jason states as he leads her through the kitchen and into the courtyard.

He looks around, letting out a breath and he definitely owes Molly and Bruce for this one. Though, he thinks they'll be giving him enough shit that maybe he won't have to.

"Okay, you can open." Jason nearly holds his breath as Sam opens her eyes to see the backyard.

There's a projection screen in the grass with a projector on one of the outdoor tables. Blankets and pillows cover the grass in front of the screen. The tables are lined with a variety of snacks, all of them being Sam's favorite. And there are fairy lights decorating the rest of the courtyard.

Jason remembers what she said about that scene in Tangled, with the lanterns. Fairy lights aren't lanterns, but they give somewhat of the same effect. She's a hopeless romantic deep down and she nearly cried watching the scene. So, he took inspiration from it. Because maybe, Jason's a little bit of a hopeless romantic underneath the trauma. And he'd do anything for her. Cliche and cheesy and all.

"You--how?" Sam looks over at him, eyes wide and a smile tugging at her lips. A lump forms in her throat as her entire chest nearly combusts into flames.

"I asked Molly and Bruce for help while we saw the movie." Jason grins at her. "You didn't really think we were just watching a movie for our first date, did you?" Jason quips, hiding his nervousness under his cocky grin.

"You asked for help?" Sam asks and she's not sure what's more surprising. The courtyard or Jason asking for help. "I actually knew we'd go see a movie but this? Wow." Sam looks around, her voice soft and tender.

"Yeah." Jason scoffs. "Look, you deserve it and you liked that scene in Tangled so. I needed some help while I distracted you."

Sam swears it's perfect because at the end of the night, it's just him and her. It's him and her in the courtyard watching her favorite movies. It's him and her when it matters. He's thoughtful and caring and kind and loving. Jason has only ever known pain and neglect but when it comes to Sam, he manages to show love and tenderness. She doesn't really understand how he manages it but she is eternally grateful for this boy with dark hair and green eyes.

"It's beautiful." Sam says softly. "Thanks, Jay."

"You like it?" Jason asks, stuffing his hands into his front pockets, something Sam has picked up he does when he's nervous.

"Yes, of course!" Sam beams. She lets go of his hand and wraps her arms around his neck, pulling him for a deep kiss. His hands meet her hips as if on instinct, giving a light squeeze."What're we watching?" Sam asks against his lips.

Jason pulls away and there's a grin of pride and confidence this time. He knows what movies she likes. "I've got Ready Or Not lined up since we didn't get a chance to see it before it left theaters and Little Women. I read the book and the trailer seemed good. I think you'll like it." Jason states as he squeezes her hips again.

"Do you really remember everything I tell you? And I did want to see Little Women, just didn't think you'd be into it." Sam chuckles softly.

"Yeah," Jason's chuckle is gentle this time, bashful even. "It's important to you." He rolls his shoulders. "See, I know you." Jason grins down at her, wiggling his brows.

"Yeah, you do." Sam scrunches her nose before pressing another kiss to his lips and dropping her arms from him. She heads over to the snacks. "This is really nice, Jay." Sam's smile is gentle and she loves him with every fiber of her existence. "Thank you."

"You deserve it." Jason holds his head with pride, joining her to grab snacks.

"I get to plan the next date." Sam offers him a devious smirk.

"Now, that's unsettling." Jason teases. "But fine."

The two of them grab their snacks and head off to the blankets and pillows that are laid out for them before Jason starts the first movie. The two of them cuddle up with each other, attention mixing between the movie and each other. Her legs are rested over him as his arm is behind her and they just exist together.

To love, wholly and honestly, is terrifying because of the pain that seems to be intertwined with love. To love is to be brave and honest and optimistic. To love is something powerful but, to be loved back, that's the greatest feeling in the world.

It's the acceptance and understanding that comes with being loved back. It's being loved for every broken piece and every bad, ugly, and terrible moment that comes. It's knowing there will be bad days and hard days where the world seems to want to destroy every happy and peaceful moment, but choosing them anyway. Falling in love is accidental, but staying in love is done on purpose. And that is why it's so indescribable and remarkable and powerful. It is choosing to love and be loved back, risking the pain. And at the end, it's worth it.

For them.

Over the next few days, everyone gets the news Sam and Jason have finally made things official. Gar and Kory actually kind of figured they were together. It was more of an inside joke with the Titans back in San Francisco. How long it was going to be before the two of them realized they were actually dating. Gar won. Dick wasn't in on it (mostly because he thought they were friends this whole time who were just too oblivious and stubborn to say anything). So, they're all happy to see the two of them happy together. Even Conner who didn't really get a chance to know Jason and who only knew Sam for a short time.

Molly is their biggest fan though. She's the best friend of the two of them. Her best friends are dating each other and she knows they're both stubborn as hell with minimal self-preservation unless it comes to their hearts. They've always been so guarded and she swears up and down, they're supposed to be together. They're the most guarded people she's ever met and yet, those two manage to open up to each other. She swears they're meant for each other. 

Today, Jason goes out with Molly while Sam hangs back at the manor to have a training session with Bruce and a marathon with Gar afterward. The training session is fine but it's definitely not as fun without Jason. So, Sam is relieved when she can just sit down and have her marathon with Gar, filling him in a little bit on her and Jason. He's really happy for them and it means a lot to Sam. He's their best friend.

But, with the marathon underway, it's interrupted as Bruce walks into the living room.

"Excuse me, Sam." Bruce calls from the doorway, pulling Sam's attention away from the show and Gar.

"Is that Bruce Wayne?" Gar beams.

"Yes." Sam furrows her brows at the screen before looking back at Bruce. "Oh, did you need the living room? I can move to my room."

"No, no." Bruce shakes his head. "You're fine in here. I was wondering if I could speak to you, however."

"Uh..." Sam looks back to her screen. "We're...we're kind of watching something, can we talk later or do you need to talk now?" Sam doesn't know why he didn't just talk to her earlier.

"I would like to talk now before Jason gets home." Bruce states.

"Oh..." Sam widens her eyes before looking at the screen. "Pause it and I'll call you back when we're done?"

"Yeah, yeah of course. Hey, Bruce." Gar chimes.

"Hello, Garfield." Bruce chuckles slightly as he walks further into the living room.

"Okay, I'll call you soon. Don't continue without me." Sam warns with a fake glare that turns into a cheeky smile before she ends the call.

Bruce takes a seat at the armchair beside the couch and Sam watches him cautiously. It's weird. They don't really talk one-on-one and if Sam were being honest, she prefers it that way. She's growing to like Bruce, slowly. He doesn't seem so bad. It's just, every time she has that thought, she can hear Dick in the back of her head warning her. And Jason telling her about Dick taking out one of the trackers he knew about and how he shouldn't do that because Bruce is looking out for them. And she catches herself keeping her distance. So, they don't normally talk like this unless they have to and it's sending off alarms in her head.

"What's up?" Sam asks slowly.

"How are you?"

Sam raises a brow at him. It's weird because Bruce definitely doesn't seem the type to be asking someone how they are. "Uh...fine. Yeah, I'm fine." Sam nods at him, giving him a soft smile. "Why?" Her eyes narrow with suspicion.

"You have been through a lot. I wanted to make sure you were okay with everything that has happened."

"Uh...yeah? Still fine, just the usual, I guess." This is fucking weird. Even for Bruce Wayne. "Why didn't you ask earlier?"

"We were training. I didn't want to distract you." Bruce sucks in a deep breath.

"Um...okay. Well, I'm fine. I'm just trying to watch some stuff with Gar." Sam nods her head and he said he wants to talk before Jason gets home which means there is something about Jason he wants to talk about. "Bruce, I appreciate you checking up on me but if I'm being honest, I think you know I'm fine or that I will be and I am getting better because I know Dick and Jason filled you in. So, I think you're asking how I am so you can ask about Jason."

"I do want to know how you are." Bruce defends in his usual stoic way that's somehow a little unsettling.

"Yeah, no, I mean I'm sure you care and everything. But, if what you really want to know is about Jason, you can just ask." Sam lets out a sigh and she can't understand why these bird boys have to beat around the damn bush so much. "If you wanted to ask about me, it wouldn't matter if Jason were home." Sam nods her head as she scrunches her nose.

Bruce lets out something Sam thinks might be a chuckle. "Is he okay?"

Sam blinks at him because she can't believe he's asking her that. Surely, he knows. That's why he's going to therapy because he's not. Seriously what is it with the batboys that they can't just talk?

"You sent him to a shrink?" Sam questions.

"I mean," Bruce clarifies. "Since going. He hasn't said much to me. I want to make sure he's okay."

Truthfully, if Bruce actually wanted to be honest, that isn't really why he's asking. He sees a lot of himself in Jason. That is the problem. He doesn't want Jason running himself into the ground over being Robin. Bruce has done that to himself too many times. He's been thinking about it and what Jason means to him as a son. He's worried about him, even with the therapy. Bruce knows Sam cares about him. He hopes that's enough for her to give him some insight

"Why?" Sam asks slowly as she narrows her eyes.

"He's my son and I'm worried about him." Bruce answers candidly.

"Yeah, no, I mean why are you asking me?" Sam shakes her head, a snip her voice. It's not her job to communicate for the two of them. They're adults.

"I thought you might know." Bruce nods.

"Of course, I know, I know everything about him. But you should know if he's okay." Sam widens her eyes as she furrows her brows. "He's your son."

Bruce lets out a sigh of defeat but Sam keeps talking.

She has more to say. It's not her job to communicate between the two of them but it's clear someone needs to. She doesn't care much for Bruce but Jason does. And that's important. And he's not okay. She thinks seeing Leslie will help him but, maybe telling Bruce isn't such a bad idea. Jason needs the help and that means telling Bruce.

"Bruce, I think Jason Todd has never been okay a single day in his life." Sam's voice is quiet and normally she wouldn't be saying anything but it's gotten to the point where she's really worried about him.

Them being officially together over the last week has been absolutely incredible. They are certainly the happiest they've ever been with each other. But, Jason is derailing anyway and Sam always knew it would happen. Her validation for him is not what he needs. It will never be the thing that he needs because she's not Bruce and she's not Dick and that's fine. It is never about her validation when it comes to him. His issues lie with the two of them, not her. So, Bruce making him see a therapist, is driving him a little bit insane. It's only been a week though, so Sam holds out hope maybe it'll help in the long run. But, she tells Bruce anyway because he should know. He always should have known.

Bruce nods with understanding. "He has not had an easy life."

"Yeah, no shit." Sam lets out a scoff. "I think saying he hasn't had an easy life is putting it lightly." There's a snark and a bite to her voice because she can just hear Dick in the back of her head.

Not to trust him. It doesn't matter that Bruce and Dick sorted out their shit. A part of him doesn't trust Bruce and every time Sam thinks maybe, just maybe, Bruce has changed enough where Dick is wrong, he says something or does something where she knows he hasn't. This is one of those things. He shouldn't be asking Sam if Jason is okay or saying he hasn't had an easy life. It's his literal job to know if Jason is okay and how to help him. It shouldn't be up to her to tell him.

Bruce nods. "It's been rough for him."

"Ya know, it's just....I don't think Jason has ever felt....protected, safe, cared for....or loved in....at least most of his life. He felt, at least, most of that here and as Robin but all of that is gone and Deathstroke changed a lot of that. Bruce, he's not okay and I am only even telling you this because I'm worried."

Being happy in a relationship doesn't make the pain of everything traumatic that's happened just go away. It doesn't work like that. It doesn't suddenly fix and mend and cure mental illness. Sam wishes it did but it doesn't. Being happy and traumatized can co-exist. He is happy with her and she knows that, but in the last week, he's still waking up screaming from nightmares and he's still limping after training. He's still terrified. And she is endlessly worried about him.

"He can't be Robin again, not yet. I made mistakes with Dick and I don't want to repeat them with Jason. That's why I want him to see Leslie."

It's not that she agrees or disagrees with it. But she does want to know why Bruce treats Jason and Dick the same way. They're wildly different people. Maybe taking Robin from Dick and sending him to therapy would have worked, simple as that. But Jason isn't Dick. Robin means everything to him. Why can't he be Robin and see Leslie? Why does he have to be benched entirely instead of half the week even? It's just not very fair to Jason, in Sam's opinion.

"Okay, I get that, but you know Jason. He's gonna prove to you he can be Robin." Sam shakes her head. "He's going along with it for right now and maybe it'll help. I hope it does, but what if it doesn't?" Sam raises.

"We'll have to have that conversation if we get there."

"Okay yeah, and what you want him to just see a shrink for the next year with his fingers crossed he's not permanently benched from the most important thing in his life? Only for something to happen and you rip it away from him entirely?"

"You believe he should be Robin at this point? You just said yourself he is not okay. It's not safe for him to be out there. Do you think it would be safe to send him out there if he is deemed not well enough?"

It's not that. It's that Sam knows, firsthand, that Jason will absolutely go out of his way to prove himself. They both do it. Jason isn't going to be able to stay benched for months on end. He's just not going to. And she knows that. The fact Bruce doesn't when he knows why Jason wanted to go after Dr. Light, is infuriating. And it scares the hell out of her.

He's going to prove himself if Bruce doesn't give him Robin back eventually. One day, Jason is gonna think he's had enough and he just needs to prove himself and he'll try. The last time that happened, they were kidnapped, tortured, and dropped from a skyscraper. And that is lucky. Somehow, that was actually lucky because they both made it out alive. What happens if he doesn't get so lucky next time?

"Whatever I think about him being Robin is completely irrelevant. It's not my place to have an opinion. It is yours but...I'm just saying, he's gonna prove to you he can be Robin eventually. He'll get bored and tired of waiting." Sam state. "He did in San Francisco." Sam shakes her head. "He's gonna get himself killed one day if he does that, to prove you wrong."

With Robin off the table, the training sessions have gotten...a little nuts. He's rougher than usual and Sam can handle it just fine, he's not out of control. But he's more relentless. He's training himself into the ground again. He just wants to prove to Bruce that not only is he capable, but he's better than Dick ever could be. Without even realizing it, Bruce doing this and the way he treated Dick, he's pitting them against each other. And Jason is set on proving to Bruce he's fine. No matter the cost.

"He won't do that. He knows the rules. If I tell him not to go—"

"Dude, seriously? We knew the rules in San Francisco, too and then we went anyway. Jason is your responsibility and you have to do something, I can do everything I can but it's not gonna be enough." Sam stresses because even when she has hope that therapy is gonna help over time, she isn't sure if Jason is actually going to put in the time to let it work. And she's worried what will happen if he quits.

"I can't let him be Robin and let him get killed out there. You said yourself, he will get killed out there. I made mistakes in the past, I cannot repeat them."

A part of Sam wants to blow. She was always right about him. He wouldn't have to worry so damn much if he would stop recruiting kids to be fucking Robin. He wouldn't have to worry so much if he would stop weaponizing their grief. He turned Jason and Dick into weapons and he's, somehow, the one paying the consequences of that. Sam thinks the whole thing is ridiculous. It's like he doesn't see what he's done to either of them and how fucked up this whole thing is. But, that's not her place to tell him off about him recruiting people. For Jason's sake. So, she decides she's gonna fall back on her usual reasoning for having a distaste towards him.

"Okay, you know what, you wouldn't have to worry so fucking much if you'd just kill those fucks. Like, you know that right?" Sam snips.

"We do not kill people, Sam." Bruce's jaw squares just slightly. "We talked about this. Once you kill one person, it gets easier to kill the next until the lines blur. We cannot be the ones deciding who lives and who dies."

Sam lets out a scoff followed by a hollowed laugh. "And at what point is that not good enough?" Sam grits her teeth. "How many times have you captured the Joker?"

Bruce knows the number but he won't say. "Several. I always catch him."

"And every time Joker escapes, he kills at least one person. So, if over the last 10 years, you got more than 10 people killed by letting the Joker roam around and one of those people were my mom." A lump forms in Sam's throat with the mention of her mom. It's some sick joke him and the Joker like to play almost. It's like a damn game of chicken in the worst fucking way. "You let the Joker kill my mom. I'm not talking about Penguin or Scarecrow, I'm talking about killing the Joker. He puts bombs in buildings for fun. He's killed thousands of people since I've been alive. You could have saved those innocent people if you would have just killed the Joker." Sam shakes her head. "And he's the main one you're worried about, right? He just escaped Arkham again, right?"

Sam shakes her head and this whole thing is insane. It's not even that she expects Bruce to toss his morals out the window. But she thinks it's something he should consider if she's so damn worried about it. Deathstroke was different. He was the best mercenary in the world. They never stood a chance but the fuckeads here? Bruce's usuals, they aren't much concern besides one. And Sam knows it. That's why they're having this talk right now.

"It's the Joker. We literally laughed in Penguin's face. Mr. Freeze, Bane, Scarecrow, and Mad Hatter are all locked up. Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy aren't even a concern. The Riddler doesn't kill people. I know you are not worried about fucking Condiment Man or Kite Man. I can keep going. But it always comes back to the Joker being the main concern, if Jason fucks up out there with him, that's it. Right?"

Bruce gains a scowl. He doesn't appreciate Sam calling him out. She isn't right but she isn't wrong either. "It is not just about the Joker. And I cannot cross that line." Bruce states firmly. "You should know that. You cannot cross that line either. The Joker is still a person and I will not determine if he gets to live or die. That is not how this works."

"And what are you gonna do when he kills Jason? Or Dick? Or the next Robin? It's gonna happen, it will. He'll kill one of them eventually and then it'll be too late."

"I will not kill him for a what if situation." Bruce lets out a sigh and this is not where he thought this conversation was going to go. A part of him thinks there's a chance Sam is doing this on purpose to avoid telling him more about Jason. She's good at deflecting and not just when it's about herself. "That is not justice."

"Then the guilt will eat you alive when it happens and then I'll find a way, myself, to kill whoever kills him. Joker's death is inevitable regardless and you could prevent the death of your sons." Sam shakes her head and gets up from her spot, grabbing the tablet from the table. "I respect what you try to do as Batman and taking in Dick and Jason. I think that's admirable. But, I think everyone has morals and sometimes you have to toss your morals aside for the greater good."

"Even if that means someone has to die?"

"The Joker is a homicidal psychopathic sadist...so yeah. I don't narc, I don't tell anyone what happens with me and Jason, ever. But I'm telling you that he is not okay. Putting my morals aside because I care about him. I know you do, too, but you need to figure out how to get that through his thick skull or let him be Robin. It's that simple. Always has been. Always will be." Sam ends the conversation, heading back to her room because that conversation was going nowhere and it never will.

Sam feels her blood boil and there is just something about Bruce sometimes. She doesn't see it. She doesn't see why Jason looks up to him so much. Maybe it's just because Bruce saved him. Maybe some part of Jason is so hung up on that that he can't see through Bruce's other bullshit. But it irks her anyway, even when Bruce is genuinely trying to be better with him.

Sam just finds the whole thing real rich. If he didn't want to watch his kids die, he shouldn't have offered them the vigilante lifestyle from the beginning. Maybe they both would have ended up here anyway. They both like to help people and that can't be just a Bruce thing. But, maybe it would have been safer.

Maybe had Bruce offered therapy from the start, it would have been better or if he could just have a damn conversation with them. Literally, anything could work besides what he's doing now. Training them to be brainwashed, taking them out to the cabin, training their bodies into a world of pain. Manipulating them with the idea of being invincible because of a mask and a cape. Anything has to be better than that.

And Sam feels like she can't even tell Jason about it because he'll get mad and annoyed further with Bruce. He'll be annoyed he went to Sam to talk. And she knows him, she just knows he'll think it's because Bruce doesn't think he's good enough and she can't let him think that about himself. And it is not her place to complain about his adoptive father. So, she keeps it to herself as she grinds her teeth and calls Gar back.

She pretends everything is fine as they continue their marathon until Jason gets home a few hours later.

"Hello, beautiful." Jason chimes as he stands in the doorway of Sam's room.

Sam looks over with a blush creeping onto her cheeks. He looks happy right now. So, she smiles back, pretending like she isn't still annoyed with Bruce. The call with Gar helped but then he had to go and the annoyance flooded her once more.

"Jaybird." Sam says with ease as Jason walks into her room, tossing his jacket onto the end of her bed.

"How's Gar?" He presses a kiss to her forehead before sitting down beside her.

"Good." Sam answers simply as she sucks in a breath. "He, uh, he misses us and Rachel but he said he's good. He really likes being a Titan, you know Gar." Sam laughs softly.

"He could come visit." Jason chuckles softly.

He misses him, too. They lived down the hall from each other for four months and went through some crazy shit together. They're best friends. Jason thinks it'd be cool to have Gar come. He could show him the Batcave.

"That's what I said." Sam widens her eyes. "He said he'd ask Dick about it."

"Cool." Jason laughs softly.

"Yeah." Sam lets out a breath as she looks back to the tablet.

Jason watches her carefully and he knows her. Something's off. She usually has more to say. She usually asks about Molly or whatever Jason is up to when he comes back home. She didn't this time and she looks like she's not really here with him. Her eyes are distant. The corners don't crinkle when she laughs. Her jaw is clenching and she didn't even mention what her and Gar watched.

"You going out tonight?" He asks and his words are a little flat.

He doesn't mean for them to be. But, it's sore. She still goes out with Bruce. Sam asked him what she should do because she didn't want to overstep. Going out on patrol with Bruce is Jason's thing. But, Sam doesn't really want to give it up either. She loves patrolling and the more she does it, the more she understands why Robin has become Jason's entire world. But, if Jason asked her not to go with Bruce, she wouldn't. She'd go on her own if she had to. But, Jason assured her it was fine even if it hurts, even if he wants to tell her to not to do it. Even if feels like she's overstepping.

Sam shakes her head and furrows her brows, bringing her attention back to him. "No, I just wanna stay here with you tonight." She scrunches her nose, trying not to set off Jason's alarm bells.

She doesn't want to be around Bruce. The only thing she wants to do is be with Jason tonight. She loves patrolling but not tonight. Not tonight when she's reminded of the cruelty they face every day and the life-or-death stakes that exist outside of this manor. Outside of this safe bubble. The conversation, knowing the Joker is out the and likely who Bruce will be trailing tonight, reminds her of what could happen out there. She knows. She already knows but sometimes conversations take place and it becomes real. Patrolling and fighting, that's fun and it's easy to forget the stakes. And while she is terrified of Jason dying, he's not the one going out there right now. She is. What would he do if she didn't come home?

She just wants to stay here with him tonight. It's too heavy tonight.

"What's wrong?" Jason asks, searching her face for any indicators.

"Nothing." Sam lies. "Can't want to stay in for a night with my boyfriend?" Sam says it like that on purpose but Jason sees through it.

Sam isn't as insistent on patrol as he is. But she hasn't missed a single night since she got the suit. She's turning it down and he doesn't get why. There's something wrong and he knows it. He always knows.

"I know your fucking obsessed with me," Jason starts with a chuckle, earning himself an eye roll. "But, I know when something's going on with you."

"It's nothing, Jay." Sam sighs. "I just want to stay in."

"What happened?" Jason pushes, gritting his teeth because now he's thinking someone did something. To her.

He thinks of the conversation with Molly, how she thinks Sam will run. She told him she's worried that Sam is gonna be the one to fuck it up, not him. And that if she does, Jason should just not let her, even if he wants to push. It's what they do, push and run. Molly is right. It's what they do but if they don't want to hurt each other, they need to find a way not to do that. So, he tries.

"Can you drop it, please? I'm fine." Sam rests a hand on his cheek, offering a tender smile. "Thank you."

"Worried about you." Jason states.

"How the tables have turned." Sam widens her eyes, dropping her hand.

"I'm fucking serious." Jason doesn't so much as grin at her.

He can't lose her. He is so certain of that. He can't lose her in any capacity. So, he pushes just as she does with him. There's something wrong and if someone did something, to scare her out of going on patrol, he doesn't care what Bruce says. He'll go back out there.

"I....Bruce he talked to me about something and I just..." Sam grits her teeth. "I don't want to go out tonight." Sam shrugs her shoulders, voice laced in annoyance.

"What did he do?" There's a mix of anger and confusion in his voice. Jason trusts Bruce but he knows as much as Sam fakes it, he knows she doesn't.

"Nothing." Sam shakes her head. "Just, uh...Joker was brought up and you know. Shit sucks. So I just don't want to go out tonight." Sam bites her tongue with every worry she has because she can't burden him with it.

Sam can't put worried thoughts into his head. He has enough going on. And she knows that he does worry, in his own way, when she's out there. He's more subtle than she is and he's not nearly as paranoid but he loves her and wants her to be safe. It's a natural thing. She doesn't want to add to that burden by saying she's worried about what he'd do if she died. On top of the rest of the conversation with Bruce, it's just too much and she doesn't want him to deal with it. Not right now.

"Your mom?" Jason asks.

"Yeah."

"You know you can tell me, right?" Jason questions, getting the feeling it's more than that. When it involves her mom, she's sad and she tell him. She seems annoyed today.

"I know." Sam offers a weak smile. Guilt feeling heavy in her chest. "It's just....it's heavy today and I'm tired of it being heavy. I'm fine though, Jaybird. Can you just.....read to me when Bruce leaves, please?"

Jason nods softly, moving closer to her. "Yeah, of course. Did you want to talk about it?" He asks before pressing a kiss to her forehead.

"Thanks, Jay." Sam smiles softly. "No, I'm okay."

"You and me." Jason smiles softly and he's worried about her, too. 

Sam rests her forehead against his shoulder. "I'm sorry, it's just one of those days, ya know? Where it just..."

"Feels worse again." Jason finishes.

"Yeah." Sam picks her head up.

He wants to help and Bruce doesn't leave for a few more hours. So, his solution is training. It always helps her, too anyway. He just doesn't want her to feel the heaviness of it and if he doesn't have to carry the weight alone, neither does she. It's like he told her, she can put it on him. He'll carry it for her.

"I get it." Jason stands up abruptly. "Wanna train about it?" Jason wiggles his brows, offering Sam his hand.

Sam rolls her eyes but there's a smile tugging on her lips. He always gets it. "Yeah, I almost won yesterday." Sam puts her hand in his, getting to her feet.

"Maybe I let you win one round, think of that?" Jason teases.

"You wouldn't let me win anything." Sam scrunches her nose. "You're too competitive." She beams up at him as Jason lets out a laugh and swings his arm over her shoulders.

"Guess that's true." He says as the two of them make their way to train.

Sam knows she'll tell him her concerns later and tell him about Bruce because while it might not be fair to tell him, it's also not fair for her to hide it. He trusts her and he's doing better about telling her everything that bothers him. She owes him the same. But right now, it's just too heavy to deal with and she just wants to sit with him and forget about everything for a while.

Jason is really good about helping her forget and letting her relax so it's easier to tell him. It's one of the many reasons she adores him and wholeheartedly loves him more than anything on this planet.

After a few rounds of sparring, Sam having lost because Jason really can't let her win, they move to the targets. When Jason runs out on his end, he takes a break, sitting a few feet behind her and to the right, having a drink of Gatorade.

He watches her when she trains. There's something enthralling about it. She throws the knives at the target with so little effort, Jason can't help but stare. He remembers how bad she was at combat all those months ago. He never told her, but she was not good. It was obvious she never wanted to throw a punch, like she never hit someone before and she hadn't. Maybe a part of him thought she might be hopeless. Even when she fought Jerry, Jason is pretty sure she only got as far as she did because he was surprised and she had a hit of adrenaline hit her system from the anger. She never stood a chance otherwise. But now, she makes Jason actually put up a fight in training.

He puts in effort to make sure she doesn't pin him now. She never misses a target. She's even getting over her fear of heights with having to grapple from building to building and with being on so many rooftops. She is so good at all of this now and his entire chest warms because he knows a part of that is because of him. But the other part, wants to completely shatter.

On the one hand, she never wanted to be violent. She told him that, more than once. She never wanted to be this way and now she is. It's not his fault. He didn't make her that way. That was Jerry, that was the Joker. But he looks at what she's become and he feels guilty anyway because he doesn't stop her from being violent. He encourages it. And he thinks of how he was before Robin.

It wasn't that Jason was violent. That was never it. He could pick a fight just as good as the next person. But it was out of survival. It wasn't because he liked the bloody and bruised knuckles. Or coming back with his body covered in shades of navy and maroon and the pain that went along with it. It was how he had to survive. Fight or die. Fight or let people take advantage of him.

He was small. He got lucky he grew taller as he got older but he was a small kid. It was either learn to fight and take what he could or get taken advantage of or die trying. It was learn to fight and hold his own or deal with whatever his dad would dish out or the new guy his mom brought home that didn't really like kids. It was never that he wanted to be violent.

He was just angry with the world. Robin gives him the outlet. Robin lets him be violent in a way that's productive. Robin lets him choose violence. Robin lets him pick fights that matter. Robin lets him let the anger and the violent side of him be a good thing instead of something that hinders him and something people find to be annoying and a nuisance. Robin has given him so fucking much including that outlet and he can't lose it. And he just gets so fucking mad when he thinks about it. He's mad about it being taken away and mad at Bruce and a little mad at you for getting to use his outlet as your own, even when he knows that's not fair.

It's the anger that always got the best of him. Not the violence.

"Where's your head, Jay?" Sam asks, looking over her shoulder as Jason sits on the floor behind her.

Jason snaps away from his thoughts, looking over to her. "What?" He furrows his brows up at her. 

"You're quiet and you're never quiet unless something is bothering you."

It's only been two weeks but she knows him better than anyone. It's been rough for him not having Robin. He wasn't Robin, technically, in San Francisco. He wasn't supposed to be anyway. He was supposed to be taking a break but that didn't seem to bother him as much as it does now. Sam isn't entirely sure what the difference is this time but whatever it is, she's got this feeling that there's something more going on. Something's poking at his head.

Jason shakes his head. "Want to get back out there." Jason scoffs.

Sam nods. "Yeah..." She sucks in a breath, looking at her target full of knives before she moves to sit in front of him. She matches his position, stretching her legs out right beside his with her hands on the floor behind her to hold her weight. "You sure it doesn't bug you I go out?" Sam asks.

Of course, it bothers him. That's his thing. But, it's hers, too. Maybe it wouldn't sting as much if she weren't going out with Bruce. But, there's nothing he can do about it and it would be wrong for him to even try. So, he bites his tongue about it.

"It's fine, it's your thing, too."

Sam shakes her head. "Yeah, but if it bothers you, I can wait until you get Robin back or I can just go out on my own." Sam offers.

The first night Jason was benched, Bruce asked if she'd still join him for patrol. Jason assured her it was fine. So, she went and they talked later about it. He swore up and down it would be fine. Sam likes to go out on patrol. She likes to help people and who is he to try and take that away from her? She'd never do that to him.

"You think Bruce will be okay with that? You going out on your own" Jason quips.

Sam grins before she lets out a laugh. "Well, probably not anymore."

Jason furrows his brows, his eyes scanning over her face. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Sam bounces around how to tell him about her conversation with Bruce earlier without including the stuff about him. It's hard because on the one hand, she respects Bruce but on the other, he can be a little insufferable. And Jason looks up to him for reasons she doesn't really think she'll entirely understand. It's not Sam's place to speak poorly of him to Jason. So, she tells him but she hopes he doesn't ask what sparked the conversation in the first place.

"We, uh, we had a moral disagreement today." Sam chews the inside of her cheek as she raises her brows.

"Ah," Jason nods his head. "That why you don't wanna go out tonight?" The moral disagreement doesn't surprise him. He knows how she feels about all of it but he is a little surprised she even brought it up to Bruce.

"Amongst a few other things but yeah. I think he might think I'll kill people mow." Sam rolls her eyes.

Jason lets out a snort. "What the hell did you even say to make him think that?" Jason shakes his head. "Wait, let me guess."

"I'm listening." Sam gestures a hand for him to continue.

Jason clears his throat. "You should kill the Joker. He's a piece of shit maniac clown who kills people for fun. He should be dead." Jason grins at her. "Sound about right?"

"Shut the fuck up." Sam groans through a laugh as she tilts her head back. "No." Sam shakes her head at him. "I said he was a homicidal, psychopathic, sadist." Sam states. "And that he should die, yes." Sam mutters softly while Jason lets out a booming laugh.

He is certain Sam will never let it go which he doesn't blame her for. He gets it. He doesn't like his dad but a part of him still wanted to go after Two-Face. Dick went after Zucco. Parents are killed and their kids want to take revenge. But, he also knows Sam and he doesn't think she'd ever actually try to kill anyone, but especially the Joker. She has more self-preservation than that.

"And he said something about we don't cross that line or whatever?"

"Yep." Sam's eyes widen as she nods her head. "Him and Dick th8km it's ridiculous I think that as if Dick didn't feel that same way, y a know? But it's the Joker. So, uh, I might have said his death is inevitable." Sam scrunches her nose and maybe that was the wrong choice of words.

Jason eyes her carefully and there is something going on with her, too. It's one thing to have the moral disagreement with Bruce but to actually say anyone's death is inevitable seems a little off. Jason's so wrapped in his own anger, he's started to wonder if he's missing anything with Sam.

"Okay seriously, what the fuck is going on?" Jason nudges her leg with his.

"Nothing. I don't think I really meant it or anything but I kind of wonder if Bruce thinks I'm serious and thinks I'm like a ticking time bomb or something." Sam rolls her eyes.

"Did he take the shit from you? The suit or anything?" Jason questions and he is getting increasingly more curious what even started that whole conversation and got Sam mad enough to say anything to Bruce.

"No. Why?"

"Then he doesn't think you're gonna out and kill people." Jason chuckles. "He'd take it away and send you to Leslie if he thought you were serious."

"Oh, well that's a relief." Sam chuckles softly. "Still don't wanna go out tonight though." Sam shakes her head.

Jason pulls his legs to his chest, resting his forearms over his knees. "What started the whole conversation anyway? Did something happen?"

Sam pauses and she hates lying to him. It's the one thing she really doesn't do with him. But, telling why Bruce even talked to her, that just doesn't seem fair. She worries he might take Bruce's concern the wrong way. Maybe it'll send him spiraling even further <aube it's best she just keeps that to herself.

"Nothing." Sam shakes her head. "It's nothing, really." Sam assures him before she sucks in a breath. "Seriously though, if you have a problem with me going out, you can tell me."

The switch back to the topic at hand does not go unnoticed and that's also uncharacteristic of Sam lately. She's been telling him everything that bothers her and what leads to it bothering her.

"I said it's fine." Jason states. "If something's going on with you, you'd tell me, right?" Jason questions.

Sam nods her head. "Of course. Nothing's, uh, nothing's going on. You need to stop worrying." Sam offers him a cheeky grin and he knows she's lying. "Look, Jay, if it weren't for you, I wouldn't stand a chance out there. I know it's hard being benched and I don't wanna make it harder for you."

"You said yourself, you like going out there." Jason bites his tongue.

"Yeah, but if it weren't for you, I'd never stand a chance. I know it's hard for you to be benched and I go out. I don't wanna make it harder for you."

Jason knows she's lying but he can't figure out why she would lie to him about something like this. It doesn't seem important or serious enough o lie. Maybe a part of him is even hurt she won't tell him. But, he knows it's not fair to push because she doesn't push him when he's adamant about not telling her. He hopes she'll tell him later when it's not so fresh.

Jason scoots closer to her, resting a hand on her thigh. "I'm fine, alright? Go out and kick some ass, with or without Bruce." Jason grins at her. "Stop worrying so much."

"I'll always worry, I love you." Sam smiles wildly at him.

"Yeah, I love you, too." Jason chuckles softly. "I'm fine, I'll be back out there in no time."

"Good, miss you out there with me."

"I got you, babe." Jason presses a kiss to her lips. "Spar again, then dinner?"

"Yeah, okay."

The next day, Jason and Sam head off the coffee shop to meet up with Molly. It's colder than it has been. The air is crisp as they walk inside, hands in their jackets. It seems to fit the mood. Their hearts are heavy in their chests, matching their sleep-deprived eyes. Last night was bad.

And Molly is sat at their usual table with a smile.

Sam thinks this is good. Maybe hanging out with Molly, the three of them will be a good distraction for him. It's been only been two weeks, but Sam knows he's already going stir-crazy. The more she thinks about it, she's surprised it took him three months in San Francisco to finally break the rules and go out.

"Hey." Sam chimes.

"Sorry, we're late, Molly." Jason takes his jacket off, throwing it over the back of his chair before he sits beside Sam.

"It's cool, I ordered for you guys." Molly states with ease, barely looking up from her laptop. When she does, she has a look at the two of them, Jason specifically. She glances to Sam before going back to Jason.

He looks more tired than usual lately. But today, he looks exhausted. The bags under his eyes are thick and his grin seems lazier than usual. And she knows Sam has been more tired lately, too. When they hang out, Sam nods off and completely spaces out mid-conversation. She looks extra tired today as she leans her head on Jason's shoulder.

"You look...tired. Are you sleeping?" Molly keeps her eyes on Jason.

Sam glances to Jason with a heavy heart, last night was rough. He woke up screaming at the top of his lungs. He got her in the face with his elbow. He sputtered apology after apology, nearly throwing himself into a guilt-ridden panic attack over it. It was fine, it was an accident. He was having a nightmare.

Sam eventually got him to calm down and fall back asleep but that only lasted about two hours before he woke up screaming again. This went on all night. It was bad. No, he's not sleeping.

"Don't worry so much." Jason brushes it off with a smile.

It's one thing for Sam to know but he doesn't want Molly to know even if it's written on his face that he isn't sleeping. He still feels guilty and tired and annoyed and angry and frustrated. He swears taking Robin away has made the nightmare worse. Everything feels worse.

"We just had a late movie night." Sam states.

"And what about you? You look tired, too."

"I'm sleeping fine. Jason's right, don't worry so much." Sam lifts her head from Jason's shoulder. 

"What're you working on?" Jason changes the subject as Sam leans forward, fully engaging with the topic change.

Molly let's it rest. It seems weird but it's the two to them. It's always a little weird. Their sleep schedules are a mess anyway.

Molly turns the laptop around so Jason and Sam can see. The screen has a large picture, a missing person's flyer. The sidebar contains others with other missing kids.

"Diego from the shelter went missing." Molly states, her voice annoyed "Rumor is, The Joker's got a dude on the streets taking in strays. Diego's poor and brown so you know the cops don't give a shit." Molly shakes her head with a scoff, taking the laptop back.

Sam feels her blood boiling. That's the shit she wants to do. She wants to target those terrible people who are bringing in kids. Kids are innocent. The three of them at this very table were once innocent and they should have been able to stay that way. It was ripped from them and Sam never wants another kid to deal with any of that. That dickhead, has got to fucking go. And who the hell works with the Joker anyway?

"Batman will take care of him." Jason states, crossing his arms on the table as he leans forward slightly.

Sam snaps her attention at him, narrowing her eyes. "Right." Sam nods her head, getting a confused look from Jason.

"Batman protects rich people." Molly closes the laptop, resting it on the seat beside her. "Be careful, Jason, living in that fake house got you slipping." Molly crosses her arms. "Should've stayed in San Francisco." There's a slight bite to Molly's words.

"Fuck Sam Fransciso." Jason states. "That whole thing was a mistake. Gotham's where I need to be."

"You've been different since you've been back." Molly leans forward, she glances to Sam who raises a brow in confusion

Jason leans back in his seat, brows knitting together. "Different how?"

"I don't know. Like something happened over it here." Molly looks to Sam.

"Nothing happened." Jason brushes it off coolly. "I was bored, so I left." Sam thinks that's one way to put it.

"It was boring as shit there. It was nice, but it's not Gotham." Sam backs Jason up. This whole thing would be easier if Molly knew the truth. Sam wants to know how everyone can keep up with all the lies.

"Okay." Molly lets out a breath, not believing either of them. Something definitely happened over there. "Look, if you don't want to talk about it—"

Jason leans forward, not wanting to deal with the integration. "Where's this guy who's picking up the street kids?" There's a grin that tugs on his lips and Sam knows he's about to go track the guy down. And Sam for one, is completely on board.

Molly looks to Sam who now also looks extremely engaged. She has a bad feeling but she does know. "I heard he's hanging near a shelter on Dunsmuir."

"Show us." Jason states.

He's not Robin but he still has the same abilities without the suit. He is itching to be out there doing something and Molly has a point. Bruce does look out for the rich. Kids like Diego can get left behind. This is a chance for him to do something. To prove to himself he can do it, even without the Robin suit. He can deal with a lowlife picking up street kids. He could do it in his sleep.

"Yeah, take us." Sam matches the grin Jason has and Molly finds the whole thing a bit unsettling.

Molly lets out a scoff as she deadpans. "Right. Cause you're cops now."

"I'm serious." Jason urges. "Let's just go see if he's there." Jason's grin is wild and dangerous as he looks to Sam.

"Come on, let's go." Sam jumps in. "It won't be so bad or anything. Especially if he's recruiting kids."

Sam is worried about Jason but they'll be together. He's one lowlife working for the Joker. That's easy. They can just threaten him, get a picture, call it good. They can't sit by and let him do this. Plus, Sam thinks Jason might need the pick-me-up.

"And then what?" Molly can't believe the two of them. They are both completely insane.

"Take some photos. Show them to the cops. It's worth trying." Jason states and he's so convincing.

"It's better than sitting here talking about it." Sam offers. "It'll be quick anyway."

Molly glances between the two of them and she can't help but find some part of this amusing, they share a similar grin. Ones that got her into trouble, ones she knows means they're up to no good. Ones she knows she'll regret listening to. And she knows it's such a bad idea. They aren't cops. They have no business finding this guy. But, she knows Diego stands no chance if they don't at least try.

"Fine." Molly agrees reluctantly.

Sam and Jason share a triumphant grin between the two of them. Jason swears this won't be like Deathstroke. He'll be on better alert in case there is a team this time and he knows Sam will, too. They're going to find a lowlife, not a supervillain. And besides, with Molly there, him and Sam won't do anything too reckless to make sure she doesn't get caught in the crossfire. This will be fine.

The three of them make the walk toward the shelter. Small flurries fall from the sky on their walk. Sam looks around at the snow with a soft smile. She never liked the snow. It turns to grey sludge on the streets and gets in her shoes while she walks. It's cold and wet. And salt trucks make everything that much dirtier. The salt always ruined the colors of her shoes. But, she hasn't seen snow in a year and maybe a small part of her missed it. Maybe it feels like home in a weird way.

"How's Sheila?" Sam asks, walking between the two of them, her right hand tangled with Jason's.

"Yeah, no." Molly scoffs. "She was the wrong one. Might even date boys again." Molly states.

Sam lets out a laugh. "Seriously that bad? Why didn't you say anything?"

"You're going through some shit." Molly shrugs. Sam and Jason have asked about her and Sheila but Molly is the observant friend. The two of them always seem like they have real shit going on. She didn't want to problems them with her relationship brothers when, for once, they seem happy in one. "Broke up yesterday, you didn't miss much besides screaming and her throwing things."

"That's also a lovely breakup." Sam gives a large nod with the roll of her eyes. She never cared much for Sheila. Sheila was the jealous type.

"Yeah." Molly scoffs. "It's cool though." Molly shrugs.

"Yeah, you deserve someone better anyway. Didn't she lose her shit on you for being home like five minutes late?" Jason asks, glancing over to her.

"That should have been one of my red flags." Molly lets out a dry laugh.

"Yeah, maybe." Sam agrees.

The three of them reach an alley where they see an older man sitting on the hood of his car with a girl standing in front of him who looks way too young to be around him. She has a bottle in a brown paper bag and he looks like he's a little too friendly with her. Sam can't help the way her hand squeezes Jason's as she feels the anger start to bubble in the pit of her stomach. Jason glances down to her, squeezing back.

"Over there." Molly states. "Gotta be him."

Jason lets go of Sam's hand and pulls out his phone, taking a picture and using the software on his phone to do a check on him. The software runs facial recognition through the system, pulling up his extensive rap sheet. Sam peeks over at the screen, making out a few of the charges and this is the shit that pisses her off.

Why do they keep letting him out? He is very clearly a danger to the public and yet he gets to roam around free, hurting more kids. Now, he gets to work with the damn Joker of all people. He's got to go.

"Got him?" Molly asks.

"Hold on." Jason says as it finishes loading. "Name's Pete Hawkins. Piece of shit's been in and out of Blackgate. Hooked up with the Joker last year." Jason explains.

"Another piece of shit they refuse to keep locked up because they don't actually give a fuck about the general public." Sam lets out a bitter scoff, stuffing her hands in her pockets.

"How do you know that?" Molly asks, looking between the two of them.

"Told you. I'm still me." Jason smiles cheekily at her.

"Right. That's one of those things that sounds real cool, but doesn't actually mean anything."

"Means he's got it covered and he's good at it." Sam smiles softly with the shrug of her shoulders.

Jason nudges Sam with his shoulder. "Let's go introduce ourselves." Jason suggests and Sam knew this was gonna happen. "Just a conversation. That's all, come on." Jason takes a step forward as Molly looks to Sam for help.

"It'll be fine." Sam steps forward with Jason. "We're just gonna talk and that'll be it. Don't worry." Sam offers a soft smile and they've been here before.

She's confident, similar to Jason, this won't be Deathstroke. This isn't Dr. Light. This is just some guy. This is their home. This is their city. It won't be like last time. She swears it won't be and it can't be because they have Molly with them. She swears it but she feels the fear creep into her stomach anyway.

The three of them make their way down the alley until they reach this guy. The closer they get, they can hear some of the conversation. He gave her alcohol. And he compliments her smile and tells her he can introduce her to someone that can make her smile. Sam nearly gags. He doesn't deserve to be here.

"It never works out like that." Jason states as they stand in front of them.

"Yeah, it's all sweet talk until you're in too deep then it's anything but sweet." Sam adds in, her hands warm in her pockets.

There's a silence that consumes them for a few seconds. The man eyes the three of them, not quite confused but annoyed. The girl though, she looks uneasy. She looked uneasy before they approached anyway. And this guy is just gonna let her feel that way. He was going to use it against her.

"Give us a second." Peter states to the girl. "Keep the drink." The girl nods her head and walks away, glancing back at them on her way down the alley. "We have a problem?" He asks.

"A little young for you isn't she, hoss?" Jason questions.

Jason also can't stand people like this guy. He was a kid once. He remembers it all. No one was there to protect him and he can protect himself but what about the other kids? That's supposed to be the point of Batman and Robin. To protect those who can't protect themselves. He doesn't need the suit to threaten this guy and try to find out where, at least, Diego is.

"She's old enough to make her own choices," He states back.

"Yeah? And exactly how old is old enough then?" Sam quips back. "Cause, uh, she didn't look old enough."

"Do I know you?" He questions, the annoyance soaking his words.

"I'm fuck," Jason starts. "She's off." Jason gestures to Sam. "We hate clowns."

"Clowns?" Peter asks but there's a seriousness in his voice.

"You know the type." Sam states.

Molly watches the two of them and she's getting the idea they've done this before. That seems a little weird and somehow not even close to surprising. But, she can't figure out why they would do this? In their free time. Do they just go around Gotham interrogating people?

"Maybe you ran across a kid?" Jason asks. "Diego."

"Martinez." Molly finishes.

Peter shifts just slightly and Jason takes that opportunity to close the distance between them, getting in his face. Sam watches the two of them carefully, waiting for any quick movements, waiting for the throbbing to start, so she moves to stand in front of Molly. She knew it was never going to be just talking and that's fine with her. That girl was lucky they showed up and he should know he can't get away with what he's doing and what he wants to do.

"You know him?" Jason asks.

"You must have me confused with someone else." Peter says but there's almost a mocking tone in his voice. Jason stares him down and it goes eerily silent for a few seconds. Pete doesn't like the look and Sam's getting the feeling this is going to go south."You haven't done enough time to look at me like that."

"You have no idea who I am." Jason's voice is low and unwavering, despite the fear pushing at his chest and vibrating his blood like a relentless and agonizing earthquake.

Molly gets the idea this going to turn violent. He's done time and she knows Jason can fight but maybe not him. So, she moves past Sam and walks forward, touching Jason's arm to grab his attention.

"Jason, let's get out of here." Molly says as Jason looks at her and as soon he does, a gun cocks.

It's fast, happening in just a second. The gun is cocked as Jason looks back to Pete who puts the gun right under his chin. He was just waiting for his opportunity. Sam swears under her breath because for some reason, she thought he'd be fine. He knows better.

"Where's your swag, cowboy?" Peter asks as Sam quickly moves to Molly, yanking her back and behind her.

Jason freezes, flashes of Deathstroke cross his eyes. The beatings, the pain in his leg is agonizing. It throbs and if he didn't know better, he'd swear it were bleeding right here, right now. He falls again and again and again. Everything that happened flashes his eyes and he can't breathe and he can't move. Why can't he move? He has no time to react before Peter smacks him across the face with the gun, sending Jason to the ground.

"Jason!" Molly screams, trying to push Sam to the side.

"You shut your mouth, bitch!" Peter threatens as he aims the gun at her, Sam keeps her blocked, locking eyes with Peter with her mouth in a hard line.

Jason tries to get up but Peter kicks him in the face. Jason starts coughing up blood onto the ground. He's weak. Why is he weak? He's fought men three times the size with ease. But Peter kicks him and kicks him and kicks him over and over. In the stomach and the side, over and over again. Jason tries to back away but he's on the ground and useless.

He was never like this. He was never afraid of everything. It never caused him harm before. If anything, fear managed to protect him. It has always kept him on high alert. It made sure he could be physically and emotionally safe from anyone that would hurt him. But, now, all it's doing is getting him beaten up. It's traumatizing reliving the same damn fear every single day. He's so damn tired of it. He's so sick of being weak. And scared.

Jason rolls on his side where Pete kicks him again and Sam has had enough. She tried to give Jason a little bit of time to get it together, hoping he'd be able to. But, she can't stand by and hope anymore. Sam pushes Molly to the side and moves towards Peter.

"Hey, dickhead!" Sam gets his attention, taking a solid swing to his face and then another. "You wanna fucking fight, let's fucking go." Sam has a wild look in her eyes as he points the gun at her, Molly rushing to check on Jason. "Aw, cute! You think I'm scared?" Sam taunts him, the throbbing in her head intensifies and she moves out of the way just as he fires the gun. "Missed me, fuckface."

Sam swore she'd never be unprepared again and she pulls out a knife from her belt hidden under her coat. In a swift motion, she nails him in the leg. He yells out and shoots again, Sam already out of the way by the time he fires.

Jason hears the gunshots through the ringing of his ears and he'll never forgive himself if she gets shot because he couldn't even get a single punch in. She shouldn't be taking him on, by herself, just because he couldn't. Because he started it. They're here again. Jason's idea. Sam in the middle of it.

"What the fuck." Pete grits his teeth as he pulls the knife out.

"I got more if that's not enough for you." Sam pulls out another knife, tossing it between her fingers. "Bet I can nail your jugular in a single shot. Wanna find out?" Sam questions. "If your gun is fully loaded, you have fourteen more shots. So, we can go fourteen more rounds if you want and then I can hit your jugular. I do love target practice."

Pete grits his teeth, holding the wound and he's missed two shots already. Whatever Sam has going on, isn't worth his time right now.

"I'll see you around." Pete threatens Sam before he walks off.

Sam lets out a breath of relief as she rushes over to the two on the ground. Jason is still coughing and trying to gain his breath. Molly's hand is on his shoulder. Sam can see the bloody gash near his temple and he should have had this. Maybe it's worse than even she thought it was.

Sam and Molly help him to his feet, Jason brushing the both of them off. He struggles to gain his footing, the pain in his leg is as bad as it was when Deathstroke cut out the tracker. His entire body is aching with every breath. He's embarrassed and pissed.

"Look, you're hurt, we need to get you to a hospital—" Molly starts once Jason is on his feet.

"I'm fine. I'm fine." Jason says, keeping his voice level. It's not their fault.

"Jay." Sam states.

He can't. He can't do it and he doesn't want to.

"Just tell me what I can to help—" Molly starts.

"Get the fuck away from me, okay?" Jason screams, gesturing his arm in the other direction.

He doesn't want help. He's tired of people offering to help. He doesn't fucking want it. It doesn't fucking help. Nothing is helping. It's been months and he's still paralyzed with fear. Every single time, it seems to be getting better, it just gets worse. He relives it over and over and over. It's drowning him even when he knows how to swim.

Molly stands for a second, her heart aching being yelled at. Jason doesn't yell at her. Jason never yells at her. Tears brim in her eyes. She's just worried about him. He just had a gun pulled at him and got the shit beat out of him. It was terrifying.

Sam lets out a breath and she can tell Molly's never seen him like this. Of course, she hasn't because she doesn't know. She doesn't know about Robin or Deathstroke. It's one of those times Sam wishes desperately that she did because she'd understand. But, she doesn't and she's going to be the one left confused and hurt.

"It's okay." Sam turns to Molly walking her towards the alley. "It's fine, okay? I got him." Sam nods her head with a weak smile

Molly stares at her in disbelief. She can't be serious because she was just shot at. How is this fucking fine? Neither of them are fine and Molly is sick of them trying to fool themselves and her.

"What the hell was that? With you? He almost shot you!" Molly panics, looking Sam over just to make sure he missed.

"I've been shot at before, it's fine. Just something I picked up." Sam's voice shakes and that's new.

Her hands are vibrating at her sides and she's realizing, it's getting a little hard to breathe. But it's the realization that she has been shot at before. She was left for dead, twice. It all comes back in a wave but she has to push through it. Molly can't know and Jason needs her. She needs to check on him. She can't panic over it. It happened months ago. And she wasn't the one tortured and kidnapped by CADMUS. It's not her trauma to process.

"You were what!?"

"Molly, it's fine. He'll be fine. Just go home." Sam keeps her voice calm and pleading.

"He's hurt, Sam." Molly urges with tears in her eyes.

"He's fine, okay? I'll look him over—"

"You're not a doctor, Sam." Molly grits her teeth.

"I know. I'll get him to go, okay? Just, head home and I'll call you. It's fine. I promise." Sam pulls her in for a hug before walking back off to Jason who's pacing and fuming.

Molly pauses for a second before she decides to listen. Jason and Sam aren't gonna listen to her anyway.

"You, too!" Jason screams at Sam.

He doesn't want her help either. He doesn't deserve it. The cruel voices are back, louder than ever and echoing through the deepest parts of his chest. They scream and cackle, telling him over and over that he's not good enough. Anyone could have beaten that guy up. Anyone could have taken him and anyone would know he had a gun. Of course, he had a gun. But, Jason's terrified of everything. He's too scared. He's weak and useless and hopeless. 

"No!" Sam yells back. "I'm not fucking leaving you here like this."

"Get away!" Jason's voice cracks as he stands in front of her.

"No! Molly's right. You're hurt. We need to get back." Sam urges him as she reaches for his shoulders.

He can't go back. Bruce is going to be home and he's going to have questions. What if this gets him benched permanently? What if this proves Bruce right? What if Bruce gives up on him entirely?

"No fuck that shit!" Jason brushes Sam off and he's so fucking sick of this shit. "Leave me alone!"

"Jason." Sam grits her teeth. "What the hell is going on?" She moves forward anyway and cups his face, minding the blood.

"Just leave me alone, please." Jason pleads with her as a lump grows in his throat. He's so fucking sick of this. He's so exhausted from feeling this way.

"You know I won't, Jay." Sam's eyes soften as her heart breaks for him.

Jason takes her hands in his. "You fucking should. I'm fucked up. You deserve better anyway. Go the fuck home, Sammy."

He's pushing. Sam's heart breaks and she's gonna keep fighting. She has a lot of regrets and one of those is not fighting for him sooner. She always should have. She's not gonna repeat that regret. So, she's gonna fight and if he wants to push, he'll have to try a lot harder than that.

"Jason, don't do this." Sam begs him. "Come home with me, please."

He shakes his head and he can't. He'll pay for it later. He knows he will. He's gonna push as hard as he possibly can to get her away from him. He doesn't want her near him. He's fucked up. He's useless and weak and a mess. She doesn't deserve him. He doesn't want her coming to his rescue. It's not her job and it never should be. Jason has always been able to take care of himself alone. This is no different. He doesn't want her damn help. He doesn't want it. It's embarrassing. Humiliating. He loves her but he's in so much pain right now he has to do the one thing he's always been best at. Pushing.

He'll regret it.

"No." Jason huffs. "I'm not going fucking home!" He yells. "Get the fuck out of here. I don't need you bailing me out! I could have fucking handled it!"

"Why are you doing this?" Sam asks, her voice cracking. Sam tugs her sleeves down, Jason catching the action.

She hasn't done that in a month around him. He crumbles with the act. He knows pushing hurts her and that's not fair just because he's hurt. She doesn't deserve it and maybe he's right. Maybe she really does deserve better. He can't take it back. He didn't mean to hurt her. Not on purpose. He can't take it back and he can't deal with it all. He can't deal with more guilt and pain and disappointment.

"Just leave me the fuck alone, alright?" Jason scoffs and he walks past her, knowing she'll never leave. She doesn't have it in her to walk away. So, he does.

He knows she'll get him to break if he stays. She's always been good at getting him to calm down and be reasonable. But that's not what he wants to be right now. He almost wants to be angry about it. He just want to be alone, away from every person he's disappointed and that includes her.

Sam watches him walk away as tears brim her eyes. They were making progress and now they're back here. What is so different than before? She's had to bail him out before this and it wasn't this bad. He didn't push like this. And she realizes the difference is Robin, the difference is always Robin.

At least when he was Robin, he had that to fall back on. He could chalk up his freezing to still being able to be Robin later. He'd have a second shot at it. He'd get a third shot. He was still Robin but Bruce benched him and now he's getting his ass kicked by some nobody trafficking kids to the Joker. He has nothing left to fall back on. Every horrible thought he ever had about himself has become true today. He is useless. He is weak. He is not good enough. And Sam hates that he even feels that way.

But she can't follow him because then they'll just fight and that's not something she wants to do. He doesn't need to feel worse over an argument with her. So, she lets him walk away and she makes her way down the alley. She heads back to the cafe where her bike is parked and she decides to hang out for half an hour, hoping Jason will come back. They can go back to the manor together and make sure he's actually okay but as the time ticks by, there's no sign of him and he's not answering his phone. Jason is really good at pushing.

Jason looks at his phone and it's cold. It's snowing. Sam should just go home but he knows she's definitely still waiting for him. But, he's not even close to being ready to talk or cool down.

Jason: go home be back later I'm fine

Jason looks at his phone, watching the bubble show up. He's still so angry with himself for all of it. He can't even look her in the eyes right now. He doesn't want to do anything. He just wants to be alone. But Sam worries. It's been half an hour and at the very least, can text her that he's fine.

Sam 😍: I don't want to go back without you

Jason's heart sinks as he reads the text. He hesitates over the keyboard. He almost types out "too bad" but he can't bring himself to type it out. It'll be even worse if it does.

Jason: you have to get ready for patrol tonight anyway stop worrying

Jason shuts his phone off as soon as the text sends. He simply can't. He knows he just fucked up their whole relationship. It's been two weeks and he just fucked it all up. He's not good enough anyway. It doesn't matter. And yet it breaks his heart in two.

All he wants is to be Robin and be good enough again. He doesn't want to be so tired anymore. He's tired of it all. The nightmares and shaking hands. He's tired of the leg pain and the headaches and the nausea and racing heartbeat that makes him feel like he's going to pass out. He's tired of disappointing everyone and letting them down and not being good enough. He's tired of being weak. 

Sam lets out a sigh, texting him back saying she doesn't have to go but the read receipt doesn't come through. She wants to give him some more time to come around before she heads back. So, she gets on her bike and decides to head to Excellent Gotham. She always likes it there anyway and it'll be warm. And Jason knows that. If he wants to come around, he'll know where to find her.

Sam opens the take-out container of her food once she's seated at her favorite table against the back wall. She tries to eat while she scrolls on her phone. Gar posted a new picture of him with Conner and Krypto at a park. Dick and Kory are seated at a picnic table behind them. A smile tugs at her lips as she double-taps the picture and pulls up the comments.

@samcarter15: @dickgrayson @koriandr look real cozy in the background 👀

Sam sends the comment, mostly to harass Dick. She can't do it in person, but she can do it through social media. It is something that can cheer her up usually. And she smiles softly, remembering when Kory told them how Donna was the one that showed her how to work Instagram and helped her set up her account. She misses all of them.

@dickgrayson: we were talking?

@samcarter15: wE wErE tAlKiNg 🥴

@garlogan: they're always "talking"

@samcarter15: "talking" is the first stage @dickgrayson "don't do anything...graphic"

@garlogan: 😂🤮

@dickgrayson: NOT FUNNY

@garlogan: yes it is

@samcarter15: you said it first 😂 sorry @koriandr ily 💕

Sam laughs softly to herself. She'll never miss an opportunity to bug him. Sam scrolls through a few more photos until her attention is pulled from her phone when someone sits down in front of her.

"Hey." Tim chimes. "You here alone?"

"Uh...yeah." Sam shakes her head. "Why?"

Every time she comes here and Tim is here, they have a conversation about anything, really. This isn't too weird of an exchange but she finds it odd anyway for him to ask.

"You never come here alone anymore. Jason and Molly are always with you." Tim gestures with his hand. "Everything okay?"

Tim is observant. He notices and remembers everything about everything and everybody. Before Sam left, she'd come in alone but since she started showing up again, she is always with Molly or Jason. Tim hasn't seen her alone at all since. He notices her tugging her sleeves down when she orders and the fact she always sits with her back up against a wall, looking out over the entire restaurant, something he doesn't ever remember her doing. They've had enough conversations over the years that he considers them friends, friends enough to ask anyway.

"All good." Sam shrugs her shoulders, brushing it off.

Tim sighs. "My dad said you seemed down." It's not a lie. Mr. Drake did say that but Tim noticed anyway.

Sam laughs softly, nodding her head. "It's fine. Don't worry about it."

"You sure? You can tell me if you want. I know we don't know each other that well, but might help. Then I don't have to run a delivery." Tim chuckles.

He's always so warm. Sam doesn't think she's ever seen Tim seem down, annoyed but not down. He's always excited to talk about whatever new thing has been picking at his mind. He was one of the people that told her suspected there was a new Robin. Batman and the crazy maniacs of Gotham were a topic of discussion on occasion. And boy could he ramble about it. But, Sam always felt like she could trust him.

He doesn't really know Jason. He kind of knows Molly but it was Sam and Tim that had the most conversation. He doesn't know everything. He doesn't know what happened to her or where she was and what happened. He doesn't know any of it. And Sam finds that a bit comforting. She trusts him enough to at least talk a little bit because having to not tell anyone anything because everyone she knows knows Jason is really difficult sometimes.

"Just, uh, some shit is going on and I, uh, can't tell anyone about most of it." Sam shakes her head. "Me and Jason got into a fight and uh, I don't know. He pushes sometimes. It's fine, ya know? I get it but it, uh, it sucks anyway." Sam chews the inside of her cheek.

Tim furrows his brows. "So, he gets mad and pushes you away? That's not fair to you." He lazily points a finger at her.

"Yeah, but he has shit going on." Sam defends.

"That's not an excuse." Tim scoffs. "He seems cool. I don't know him. I'm just saying, no one deserves to be pushed just because someone's going through shit."

"Well, he's not an asshole to me. And I do the same shit so, ya know?"

"Well, I still think he shouldn't do it." Tim states casually. "Why's he do it anyway?" Tim asks and Sam raises a brow at him. "I'm just saying, you're together so why's he still pushing you away?"

"I'm so serious, if you ever bring this up, I'll kill you." Sam threatens softly and Tim nods, gesturing for Sam to contiue. "Everyone gives up on him and I just...don't? I'm like the only person who hasn't and I'm not going to. I don't even know why people do. He's an ass sometimes and he's all bark and bite. But, I don't get it anyway, right? Because when you give a fuck about someone you don't just give up cause shit gets hard. Or they fuck up. But it's like he's so damn used to it that when I simply don't give up, he freaks out a little more when shit, like today, happens." Sam states, keeping it a bit vague on the actual events.

Tim nods his head and he agrees. He believes in second chances. He doesn't think people should just give up on people. He's fucked up several times and his parents don't give up him. They were not happy about him dropping out but they're not giving up on him. He doesn't know what happened and he highly doubts Sam is gonna be less vague if he asks. But, he also knows some things she definitely doesn't know he knows.

Tim knows. He knows Jason is Robin. Dick was Robin. Bruce is Batman. He knows she's Bluejay, a vigilante name the Gothamites have given her all because of her blue suit and she patrols with Batman. Sam does not talk about the irony in it. At least it's a little better than Acid Fingers. But, Tim is very observant. With a photographic memory.

Dick is one of two people in the world who can perform a flip and Robin 1.0 and Nightwing can also perform that trick which means Bruce Wayne is Batman. Jason was adopted by Bruce after Robin 1.0 left which means Jason has to be Robin 2.0, on top of the fact Tim remembers seeing videos and him and Robin 2.0 walk the same way. They share the same stride and confidence. And that's how he figured out Sam is Bluejay.

The way she walks, how she holds herself. She's living with Bruce Wayne, dating Jason Todd. It's all pretty obvious to him in all fairness. So, he is kind of guessing whatever is going on has something to do with the vigilante life and that's not something he can so much help with. But, he can try.

"Do you want my advice?" Tim asks.

"Sure?" Sam questions.

"You said he pushes so, have you tried...letting him?"

"The point is that I don't? So, I'm not like everyone else and I don't give up on people very much."

"Yeah, but, you not letting him doesn't work with whatever is going on, right?"

"I guess?"

"So, let him. And he'll come back, right? Be there when he comes back. You said, it's what he does. So, maybe you," Tim gestures towards her as he leans back in his seat. "Being there all the time is suffocating him." Tim states casually. "You could give him the space and when he comes around, be there like you normally would. Maybe he just needs the space, right?"

"I--" Sam pauses and that's kind of a good point she hasn't thought of. "I...yeah, actually that kind of makes sense. I just...worry about him. If you knew, you'd know why, ya know?"

"So, tell him you'll give him space or whatever but he has to check in and tell you he's fine so you're not worried."

Sam groans, putting her head on the table for a second before picking it back up again. "That's actually a good idea. I hadn't thought of that."

"It's easier from the outside sometimes." Tim chuckles awkwardly.

"Thanks, Tim. I will try that." Sam nods softly.

"You're welcome." Tim smiles warmly. "So, you decided to just come here because you had a fight and wait for him to come around?"

"Oh, you really don't want to work. Don't you have like schoolwork to do or something?" Sam quips with a grin tugging at her lips.

"I dropped out." Tim shifts in his seat slightly.

"Why? Aren't you like a genius?"

Tim shrugs casually. "I mean not..."

"He does our books." Mr. Drake calls from the counter making Sam laugh.

"Genius." Sam states with a nod.

"Kind of." Tim rolls his shoulders.

"I just, uh, I always liked it here. Your family is always here, and always felt real warm. And, uh, ya know? Been a while since I felt that so. Like, whole family dynamic thing." Sam nods her head.

"Oh, well, in that case, you can run my deliveries. Really feel the warmth of a family then." Tim nods twice with a toothy grin, glancing to his dad.

"No, I'm good." Sam laughs. "That's all you, Timmy." Sam scrunches her nose. "Thanks, though, seriously."

"Hey, we're friends, right?" Tim shrugs casually.

"Yeah, I guess." Sam shakes her head. "Coming in here enough over the years, I guess so." Sam smiles softly. "Seriously, thank you. And also, I'm serious, don't tell anyone. We don't normally like when people know our shit."

"I won't tell anyone, don't worry." Tim chuckles.

"Well, I'm gonna head back to the manor. Give him space like you said. I'll be back probably tomorrow." Sam laughs as she gets up.

"Oh, well, I'll be here." Tim states with wide eyes. "They won't let me leave." He whispers.

"So, go to school." Sam mocks him as Tim groans.

"Yeah, alright, be safe." Tim chuckles.

"Yeah, too. All those delivers and such." Sam offers him a thumbs-up before she heads out of the restaurant.

The night goes by and Sam doesn't go on patrol. She wants to be here when Jason gets home and being out with Bruce just seems like it'll make her more annoyed tonight. It's his fault today happened anyway. So, she stays home and listens to Tim, giving Jason some space for the night.

Jason texts her here and there saying he's still fine because he's not throwing in the towel. The later the night gets, the more texts come through from him. He's calmer as the night goes on and his anger is fading away. He apologizes a few more times and he wonders how he's ever going to come back from what he said to her and Molly. They didn't deserve it. They were just worried about him.

At some point, Jason stopped receiving texts from Sam and figured that was his cue to head back home. It's two in the morning and he has to guess Sam fell asleep. He thinks it's safe to go home and get to bed. He won't have to talk about it when he gets home. He can just try to get at least some sleep.

When he gets home, Bruce is still out on patrol. The manor is completely quiet and he goes right to Sam's room, just to check on her before he heads to his own bed. But, when he looks into her room, the bed is still made and she isn't there. His heart plummets because he thinks he really blew it. He's so sure she left. Maybe she's staying with Molly. Maybe she's just waiting for him to calm down before she breaks it off entirely. She's done and it's all his fault.

Maybe she was only texting him back so she wouldn't feel guilty if he did something stupid. He's not sure, but he really thinks he messed things up with her this time.

Jason feels tears brim his eyes as he shuts the door. His head hangs as the lump grows further into his throat as he walks to his room. He did what he always does, push until someone gives up. He really, in the pit of his stomach, didn't think she ever would. And he doesn't even blame her. He just feels guilty and hurt for everything in the first place. He just keeps fucking it all up.

When he reaches the door of his room, his arm is weak as it creaks open but his attention snaps to the TV that's on. There isn't anything playing, it's just the screensaver but it's on and there's an automatic shut off which means he didn't leave it on. He looks in the opposite direction towards his bed where Sam is sleeping.

Jason sucks in a breath of relief at the sight of her. She didn't give up. She didn't leave. She waited for him in his room because she knew he would be avoiding talking and probably her when he got back if she were awake. And his heart swells. He doesn't deserve her. But, he walks closer to the bed anyway and strips to his boxers before crawling into bed with her and wrapping his arms around her. He presses a kiss to her shoulder.

Sam hums from in front of him, her back pressed against his chest. "Jay?" Her voice is groggy as she tiredly looks over her shoulder.

"Yeah." Jason whispers softly. "Sorry, didn't mean to wake you."

"S'okay." Sam smiles softly, rolling around his arms to face him, her eyes barely open as she looks up at him. The bruise from the day is hidden against the pillow and the low light of the bedroom. "Glad you're home."

"I'm so fucking sorry." Jason states and Sam barely makes out the guilt across his face.

"It's okay, we'll talk in the morning." Sam snuggles against his chest. Truthfully, she's just glad he's home and he's safe. One bad day doesn't destroy everything they've built. "Not mad, just tired. Get some sleep, Jay. It's just you and me." She presses a kiss to his chest, feeling Jason relax against her.

"I love you." Jason mutters against the top of her head.

"I love you, too." Sam smiles softly against him.

Jason squeezes her softly against him and he doesn't know why he's still lucky to have her. His life is shit besides her and she picks him anyway. She should leave him and he knows she should. He was wrong for speaking to her that way and for pushing so damn hard. But she doesn't. She's here anyway for reasons he'll never understand. But he is immensely thankful she's still here. With him.